Almost 5 years ago, Estelle & Magan met at a wedding — where M was the photographer and E was a bridesmaid for her best friend's big day. We talked about books for under five minutes, and a friendship was born.

Since then, we’ve shared our love of books, Zac Efron, and shopping on this blog, changed jobs, had babies, moved, visited DC and Disney World together, and constantly stayed connected -- despite the miles between us. RBR has been the our own version of a coffee date, our way to mark the time before we can hang out and gab in person again. Thanks for spending time with us. xoxo

Tag Archives: personal post about foster care

I recently stayed up entirely too late finishing How to Love by Katie Cotugno. Estelle mailed it to me and on a highlighter pink post-it note, said it had to be my next read. How was I to turn down such a request? Estelle’s already reviewed How to Love here on the blog so I’m not going to dive […]

Annual End of Year Book Survey – 2013 Edition!-[…] willingness to open themselves up to their readers and discuss personal issues like Magan’s reflection on foster care and pregnancy announcement make the experience seems all the more personal and allows their readers […]

December 7, 2013 - 3:04 am

Chloe Lee-Such a beautiful post! I just had to comment, and not ashamed to say it brought tears to my eyes!!!

December 2, 2013 - 9:59 am

YAY OCTOBER!-[…] admit it 3. Gayle Forman’s post on endings: Love this post and agree with so much of it! 4. This beautiful post from Magan — Yep. Made me cry. 5. Turning A Book Into A Commercial Empire: Very thought provoking post […]

elena-my heart is so full for you right now! like it is physically aching because there’s so much love in this post. this was an absolutely beautiful, beautiful post. all the good things for you. <3 <3 <3

November 13, 2013 - 1:36 pm

Alexa Y.-Oh M, I adore this post! You’ve expressed yourself so beautifully and shared so much of your life with us via this one post. Thank you for being so brave, so honest and so real with all of us. Your parenthood journey with your foster daughter and your baby on the way is beautiful and inspiring, and I wish you lots of love and joy and peace all the time. Lots of love xo

November 12, 2013 - 8:05 pm

Melissa @ Writer Grrl Reads-Oh, Magan, your posts always make me cry! This is such a beautiful story of your connection to the book! Baby Blasig is so lucky to have you as a mom, as is your foster daughter. What an amazing, inspiring, love-filled, incredible journey your family has been on in the last year, and thank you so much for sharing it with us. You are such a beautiful and inspiring woman — I’m glad to call you a friend xoxo

November 12, 2013 - 6:19 pm

alisa selene-I think this is such an amazing review..love how you tied into your own experiences!

November 12, 2013 - 3:26 pm

alice-jane-Wow, such a powerful post! I didn’t know that How to Love could be that touching, real, and just full of feels but after reading your post, it’s definitely been bumped up my TBR list.

Your foster daughter is incredibly lucky to have you in her life and best of luck with your journey! I’m sure it’ll be wonderful!

November 12, 2013 - 2:59 pm

Lisa Schensted-Oh Magan. Thank you for sharing your story and your emotions with us all as readers!

You are so brave. Both to share so openly and to take on the journey as a foster momma and brand new baby momma too.

And can I just say that I do not believe for one single moment you were out of your league? You are loving and kind and considerate and so very warm. You were born to do this. I am so very happy for you and D and baby girl and baby Blasig!

I think about you guys so often and celebrate all the blessings in your life! God could not have chosen a more deserving family than yours.

And beeteedubs – do NOT feel any shame or guilt about the guest room situation. That’s just another situation where you were being so delightfully YOU and putting others first. No shame in that game. Perspective was gained, yes. But that doesn’t mean you should feel bad in the slightest.

Forever your fan! oxo Lisa

November 12, 2013 - 2:08 pm

Maggie @ Just a Couple More Pages-Beautiful post! I think foster parents are so amazing and I think it’s wonderful what you guys are doing. My grandparents were foster parents to teens once my dad and his sister were teenagers and they adopted two of the girls. One of my adopted aunts is now retired and works as an advocate for children in the foster care system and there are some amazing stories and some devastating stories I hear from her. Best of luck with everything going forward.

November 12, 2013 - 12:07 pm

Les -Magan, you have such a gift in using your words to convey your feelings and emotions. Praying for you and that the love of Jesus continues to shine through your words and actions. Love you!

November 12, 2013 - 10:10 am

Elizabeth-Magan, this is beautiful and your last paragraph SO true!! That little girl and the baby on the way are so blessed to have you and Dustyn in their lives. Hugs.

November 12, 2013 - 9:53 am

Daphne-beautifully written. you’ve really captured the unexpectedness of becoming a parent. even though i was pregnant for 9 months & had tons of time to prepare, i remember the first day alone with my baby boy & he wouldn’t stop crying no matter what i did. i had to call my mother in law to come over and as soon as she got there and picked him up, he immediately stopped crying. he could smell my fear, i swear it! it sounds like you’re going to be a great mother, you’re so loving and worried about doing it right. good luck to you and God bless. 🙂

November 12, 2013 - 9:45 am

Ghenet Myrthil-Aww, beautiful post. Your foster daughter is very lucky to you have you in her life. I’m really looking forward to reading HOW TO LOVE very soon. 🙂